Edmond Jackson "Eddie" & Lula Belle Andrews McLean

Edmond Jackson "Eddie" McLean

Eddie and Lula were married for 72 years before her death on Jan. 23, 1993.  Eddie followed her on Dec. 3, 1994.  Both are buried at the Globe Baptist Church Cemetery in Globe, Caldwell Co., NC.

He was born in the Yadkin Valley on Oct. 9, 1903 and on Apr. 25, 1921, at age 17 he married 16 year old Lula Belle Andrews in Globe Twp.  Together they had at least five children, perhaps six*.  The children were:

Belle, born Feb. 11, 1922 married Ralph L. Hearn and settled in Virginia.  Belle died on Jan. 6, 2006 in Mathews Co., VA and was buried there in Windsor Gardens Cemetery.

MATHEWS - Belle McLean Hearn, 83, passed away Jan. 4, 2006, at Riverside Hospital, Newport News. Belle was a native of Lenoir, N.C., and resided in Mathews County for many years. She was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church and during World War II she was employed by the Defense Dept., Fort Monroe, Va. 

Belle was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph L. Hearn; her parents, Edmond J. and Lula Belle Andrews McLean; two brothers, Ronald McLean and Reece E. McLean; and one sister, Winnie McLean Askew. 

She is survived by one sister and brother-in-law, Jane McLean Harmon and Don Harmon, and one niece, Gloria Askew Armistead, all of Cobbs Creek, Va.; two nephews, Walter David McLean of Boone, N.C., and Brian Harmon of Hampton, Va.; and also a very special friend, Benetta Smith Packer of Odessa, Fla. 

Belle, lovingly known as 'Aunt Belle' to her many friends and neighbors, will be fondly remembered for her many church activities and her great love of life. Her request was a simple graveside service which will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, (today) at Windsor Gardens, Dutton. We the family, respectfully ask for no flowers. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, Box 723, Mathews, VA 23109. Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home, Mathews, is handling the arrangements.

Ronald Edward, born Jan. 28, 1924 in Upton, Caldwell Co., died in Globe on Oct. 2, 1924.  His death certificate reads only that he died of "kidney trouble."  He was buried at the Andrews Family Cemetery in Collettsville, Caldwell Co.

Willie Mae, born 1926 in Caldwell Co.

Reece Edmond, born Dec. 26, 1936 in Caldwell Co., died Jun. 21, 2003 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. Reece Married Mable Lucille Tolbert and at least one child, a son was born to them in 1963.  Reece is buried at Baileys Camp Baptist Church Cemetery in Lenoir.

Merida Jane, born c1941, married Donley D. Harmon in Caldwell Co. in 1963.  When sister Belle died, her obituary reported that Jane and her family lived in Cobbs Creek, Mathews Co., VA.

Eddie was the son of Andrew Jackson and Martha Jane "Mattie" Church McLean.  Andrew and Mattie were parents to at least ten children.  Their daughter, Bessie Mae married Hayley or Hillie Horton Coffey, a son of Gilliam and Susan D. Gragg Coffey on Feb. 2, 1908 in the Yadkin Valley.  Another son, Homer Commodore McLean married Stella Mae Andrews, sister to Lula Belle.

Martha Jane "Mattie" Church was the daughter of James Franklin "Jim" and Laura Virginia Blackburn Church and sister to Joseph Commodore Church whose first of three wives was Lee Ella Coffey, daughter of Thomas Avery and Louisa E. Gragg Coffey.

All of these folks have deep ties to North Carolina.  The Coffey families go back to Edward and Ann Powell Coffey through their son John who married Jane Graves.

Earlier blogs about some of these families can be found here and here.

Sources:

US Federal census, Caldwell Co. marriage records, NC death records, cemetery records and descendent contributions

*There is another birth record in Caldwell Co. for an unnamed child in 1924 and is recorded in an earlier birth register.  The child could be Ronald who remained unnamed until a week or so later when his birth was "officially" recorded.

James Avery & Mary Jane Lainey Coffey

I noticed today that someone had been searching the blogs for information about James Avery Coffey.  As it happens, I have been trying to fill out his family information over the past couple of weeks.

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James was a son of James and Mary Keller Coffey and was born on Apr. 30, 1847 in Caldwell Co., NC and probably in the Yadkin valley. He was married there on Oct. 4, 1872 to Mary Jane Lainey (var.), born in April 1848 to James and Mariah Lainey.

There were at least nine children born to this union, all in the Kings Creek Twp. of Caldwell Co.  Each of them lived to become adults, marry and leave some descendants.  I'll name and report on each of them and their families.

The first born was James Columbus on Aug. 11, 1873.  James married Ann Etta "Etta" Barnett, daughter of Thomas Horton and Sarah Isabella Sherrill Barnett on Sep. 7, 1895 at Kings Creek..  Etta was born May, 12, 1874 in the Yadkin Valley and was the mother of at least two children:  John P., born in 1896, died in 1962 in Gaston Co., NC.  He married Lela Elrod - date not yet known - who was born in NC in 1910 and died there in 1999.  Both are buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Gastonia.  Second was Thomas Frank, born 1898, died 1967 in Kings Mountain, Cleveland Co., NC.  Thomas' wife was Naomi Farris and I have no information about her.  Thomas is buried at Mountain Rest Cemetery at Kings Mountain.

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Next was George Wesley, born in 1875.  His spouse was Lula Jane Barlow and they were married on Jun. 17, 1911 in Caldwell Co.  Lula was born to John Horton and Martha M. "Mattie" Grubb Barlow on Oct. 10, 1895 in Kings Creek Twp.  Their children were Nora Lee, born Nov., 1912, died May 7, 1944.  Here spouse was Lee Otis Keller, a son of Anderson and Emma Mayberry Keller, born in Yadkin Valley in 1893.  They were married c1933 in Caldwell Co.  Nora died in Lenoir in 1944, Lee in 1958. Both are buried at Kings Creek Baptist Church Cemetery [KCBCC].  I know of no children.  Nora Lee was followed by Charles, c1915; Viola, c1917; Callie, c1919; Ellen, c1922; Annie, c1924 and Clara Mae, c1928.  Clara Mae married George Lincoln Smith and died on Mar. 21, 2012 at Hickory in Catawba Co.  She was buried at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Lenoir.  Her obituary reports that she had a son and two daughters.

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Third born was Mary Genelia in 1878.  She married Finley Green Andrews [date not known], who was born on Apr. 22, 1882 in Watauga Co., NC.  He was a son of Avery J. and Sarah Knight Andrews.  He and Mary had at least five children:  Troy Lawrence, 1907 in Caldwell Co., died 1946 in Forsyth Co.  His wife was Edna M. Mooney.  No other information.  Following Troy was Elizabeth, c1910; Roy Green, c1912; Sarah Jane, c1916 and Marvin Pershing, c1918.  Mary died in 1946 and Finley in 1961.  Both are buried at KCBCC.

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Julia Emma was fourth.  She was born in 1879 and married Rufus T. Barlow, a son of Horton and Nancy Maltba Barlow.  Rufus was born in Lower Creek, Caldwell Co. on May 11, 1864 and they were married there on Dec. 8, 1901.  Their children were Nellie Mae, born 1904, died 1940.  She married James Fox on Nov. 1, 1924 in South Lenoir Twp., Caldwell Co.  James was born c1899 but I have no death information. Nellie is buried at KCBCC.  James is probably there as well.  Nellie's sister, Hattie Emma, was born c1908 and married Ralph Raymond Clippard in 1927.  He was born c1902 in NC.  I know of two children:  Richard, born c1937 and Maynard, born c1939..  I do not know where Hattie and Ralph are buried.  There were probably other children born to Rufus and Julia, but the last one I know of was Jack Christie, born 1915, died 1978 in Caldwell Co.

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Amanda Lou followed Julia in 1992.  She married Joseph Hamilton Kirby in 1906.  He was born in 1883, a son of William Jackson Kirby and Nancy Emma Nelson.  Their children were:  William Avery, 1907-1968, married Ruth Eva Montgomery, 1918-1998.  Both are buried at KCBCC.; Luther Iron, 1909-1958; Mallie Filmore, 1912-1978; and Edgar Lee, 1915-1969.  Edgar's wife was Gladys Lola Barlow, daughter of John Walter and Frances Ella Prestwood Barlow.  She was born in 1910 and died in Wilkes Co. in 1992.  They were apparently not married until 1964 and are likely to have been previously married to others.

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Robert Lee was next, born in 1885.  His wife was Bessie Church to whom he was married in Valmead, Caldwell Co. on Oct. 15, 1911.  He died in 1937 and was buried at KCBCC.  Bessie was born c1895 but I have no other information about her.

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William Henry "Will" was born in 1886.  His first wife was Naomi Genely [sic] Keller, daughter of Milas and Demaris Barlow Keller.  She was born in 1883 and died in 1933.  Her two children were Albert L., born c1907 and Mary Ethel, born 1910.  In c1938 Will, age 52, married 15 year old Annie Mae Summerow, a daughter of Joe F. and Florence Kincaide Summerow.  Annie was born in 1923 and gave Will at least five children:  Thelma Lore, 1939-2011, married James Garlen Laws; Ira Lee, 1940-?; and infant son, born 1943; Steve Wilson, born 1946 and Stanley Edward, birth date not known.  Annie died on May 2, 1989 in Hickory, Catawba Co. and was buried at Littlejohn Methodist Church cemetery in Hickory.  Will died on 1959 and was buried at KCBCC.  Sometime after Will's death, Annie married Gurner Walter Hamby, 1910-1996.

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Elisha Elmore was born in 1888 and c1919 married Fannie Bell Kirby, a daughter of William N. and Sarah G. Kirby Kirby.  Fannie was born at Kings Creek in 1898.  They were parents of Edgar Lee, born 1922; Toye Mae, born Dec., 1925, died 1987.  Toye (or Toy) married Earl Pearson in 1948; and Claude William born 1928.  Claude married Clara Dean Walker, daughter of Oscar Walker, on Mar. 26, 1954 in Granite Falls.  Claude died on Oct., 2010 at Rhodhiss, His burial place is unknown and there were no services scheduled.  Elisha is buried at KCBCC.  Fannie is likely there as well.

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Finally, we arrive at the last child, Millard Monroe, born 1889.  He married Mary A. Nelson in 1909 at Watauga Co.  She was born in 1892 to Thomas and Elizabeth Davis Nelson.  Their children were Rosa Bell, 1909-?; Mamie Bell, 1910-1993, married William Lee Turnmire in 1925, a son of John Calvin and Fannie Green(e) Turnmire.  They were parents of one unnamed, 1926-?; Grady, 1927-?; Nina, 1929-2009; Eugene, 1931-1969; Vilas, 1933-1940; Pauline, 1936-2002; William, Jr., 1938-1996; Lucille, 1940-?; and Edity, 1944-?.  Everett Turner follower Mamie in 1914, Watauga Co..  His wife was Thelma Green and they had at least one child, Lee Roy, born/died in Jan., 1937.

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So, that's what I have on this family.  There are more exact details available.

Additions and corrections welcomed!

Jack

Larkin & Sibby Wyatt Coffey

Larkin Coffey was a son of Thomas and Nancy Barlow Coffey, born c1832 in Wilkes Co., NC.  He married Sibby Wyatt on Nov. 28, 1853 in Wilkes Co. and died in TN in 1863. Some sources report that he died from complications of measles while others report he died of diptheria, while serving with the CSA in La Follette, Campbell Co., TN.  I have not found any proof to substantiate this, however.

What is known is that he and Sibby Wyatt, a daughter of Solomon and Polly Wyatt, were parents of at least four children:  Gilliam Wyatt, Sarah Lou Ellen, John Nelson and Mary Ann.

Gilliam, born in North Carolina - probably Caldwell Co. - in Mar., 1854, married Sarah Jane Isenhower (var.) on Jan. 10, 1875 in Caldwell Co.  Sarah, the daughter of Joseph who later became Gilliam's step-father, was born in NC in Jan., 1854 and died in Okanogan Co., WA in 1928.  Gilliam died there in 1913.

Their children, all born in NC, were:

Candes L., born May 1877, married Lee L. Cook c1897.  Lee was born in Apr., 1871 in NC.

Sidney G. S., born c1878

Etta Cordelia "Cordie," born Feb., 1880

Martha J., born Mar., 1882

William Larkin, born Jun., 1884, died Jun. 11, 1968 in Omak, Okanogan Co., WA.  William married Emma J. Lingle c1907 in NC.  She was a daughter of J. Monroe and Frances J. Sullivan Lingle.  She and William were parents of Ethel M, born NC; Edna Y., born c1912 in WA; John Albert, born Jun. 29, 1915 in WA, died in Okanogan Co. on Oct. 14, 2003; and James Edward, born Dec. 17, 1919 in WA, died Jul. 3, 1998 in Okanogan Co.  James Edward married Ellen J. Dinger in Spokane, WA in 1947.  They had at least one child, John Allen Coffey, born Dec. 8, 1951 in Okanogan and died there on Aug. 7, 1980.

Joseph Monroe, born Feb. 23, 1887 at Shulls Mill in Watauga Co., NC, died in Okanogan on Jun. 5, 1958.

Minnie Lee, born Jul. 31, 1890 at Blowing Rock in Watauga Co., NC, died Dec. 2, 1972 at Peteros, Okanogan Co.  She married first to Charles Martin Harrell on Jun 30, 1911 in Okanogan Co.  Two children are known: Leda Ruby and Doris Jane.  Charles died in 1917 and Minnie married George Walter Brownlee on Feb. 16, 1919 in Okanogan Co.  He was a son of Andrew Brownlee and was born Jan. 17, 1875 in IL, died in Okanogan Co. in 1962.  Their children were at least two:  John Charles, born Jul. 16, 1924, died Sep. 11, 2003 at Wenatchee, Chelan Co., WA and, Grace, born c1928 in Okanogan Co.

The last child born to Gilliam and Sarah was Ethel, born Oct., 1894 in NC.

The second child born to Larkin and Sibby was Sarah Lou Ellen on Nov. 8, 1856 in Caldwell Co.  She married John M. Stamey, a son of Daniel and Catherine Stamey, on Jan. 4, 1874 in Caldwell Co.  John was born in Cherokee Co., NC on Jan. 9, 1846 and died in Catawba Co. on Sep. 4, 1934.  Sarah died in Catawba Co. on Jun. 24, 1947.

Third born was John Nelson "Nels" on Aug. 7, 1858 in Caldwell Co.  John Married Laura Ann Henley, a daughter of Henry and Loanna "Loany" Greene, on Sep. 23, 1881 in Watauga Co.  John died on Dec. 10, 1932 in Blowing Rock, NC; Laura died there on Jun. 2, 1936.  This couple had at least nine children, all of which married and have descendants.  The family is too large to write about here but I will in a future blog.  In the meantime, any reader wanting information about "Nels" and Laura Ann, can drop an e-mail with the request.

The last child of Larkin and Sibby was Mary Ann, born Mar. 27, 1859 in Caldwell Co., died there on Nov. 24, 1944.  She married William Alexander West, a son of Hiram and Juliatha [sic] Haas West, born Jan. 18, 1856 in Caldwell Co.  William died Jan. 26, 1919 at the State Hospital in Morganton, Burke Co., NC after breaking a hip.  He and Mary Ann had at least three children:  Dora A., born Jun., 1885, married Adolphus Price on Apr. 21, 1907 in Lenoir; Willard Newton, born Apr. 18, 1888, died Jan. 9, 1969 at Black Mountain in Buncombe Co., NC.  Willard married Emma Andrews on Dec. 26, 1915 in Lenoir.  Third and last child was Georgia, born Aug., 1890.

Following Larkin's death, Sibby Wyatt Coffey married Joseph Isenhour on Nov. 14, 1875 in NC.  They had at least one child, Solomon Tilden Isenhour, born Nov. 30, 1876, died Dec. 26, 1950 in Blowing Rock.  Solomon married Ruth Callie Moody c1895 and they had at least one child, a son Franklin Albert Isenhour, born in Watauga Co. on Dec. 11, 1898.  As mentioned above, it was Sibby's son Gilliam Coffey who married Sarah Jane Isenhour, Joseph's daughter by his first wife, Lettie.

Robert Lawrence "Bob" Coffey

Relatively speaking, this is a "modern" family.  However, it did take a bit of concentration on my part to finally figure out that he had two wives, each named Lula!

Robert was born in Caldwell Co., NC in 1897 to Jesse Finley and Mary Elizabeth Craig Coffey.  He married Lula Shell on Aug. 30, 1913 in Lenoir, the daughter of Robert and Laura Sigmon Shell. 

Lula Shell Coffey gave birth to three children: 

Laura Mozelle, born Jun. 8, 1914, died of tuberculosis and unmarried on Jul. 22, 1938.  Laura is buried at the Union Church Cemetery in Lenoir.

Second child was Finley Tuttle, born in 1915 and died Dec. 23, 1979 in Lenoir.  He married Jewel Genett Andrews, a daughter of John Finley and Lucy Bean Andrews in Caldwell Co. in 1953.  Jewel was born in 1923 and died Jan. 1, 2006 in Caldwell Co.  She is buried at Belleview Cemetery in Lenoir and, I suspect Finley is also buried there.

The last child born to Lula Shell Coffey was Charles Woodrow, born Oct. 26, 1917 and died of tuberculosis on Mar. 10, 1919 in Lenoir.  He and his mother died very close together, perhaps on the same day but, although a death certificate for Charles has been found, none has been found for Lula.

Three years after the death of Lula Shell Coffey, "Bob" Coffey married Lula Lovina Hart, a daughter of Calvin Jones and Amanda Emmaline Wise Hart.  The wedding took place on Mar. 11, 1922 in Caldwell Co.  Lula Lovina Hart was born c1905 and died Apr. 5, 1978 in Caldwell Co.  I do not know where either of them are buried.

Bob and Lula Hart Coffey had at least 10 children, all born in Caldwell Co.:

Frances, born Mar. 3, 1923, died Jun. 21, 2010 in Hickory, Catawba Co., NC.  She married  Foke Lenoir Hartley, born Apr. 2, 1922 in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co., a son of George Sidney Hartley and Callie Bentley.  Foke died Oct. 19, 1988 in Valdese, Burke Co., NC.  Their children were Doyle Sidney; Mavis Ann; and Thelma Susan, all of which are now deceased.

Mable Ruth, born Jun. 6, 1924, died Oct. 26, 1989 in Lenoir.  She married George James Prestwood, born c1918 in Caldwell Co.  Her obituary reads:

Mabel Ruth Coffey Prestwood, 65, of 310 Reform St. SW, Lenoir, died Thursday, Oct. 26, 1989, at Caldwell County Hospice.

She was born June 6, 1924, in Caldwell County, a daughter of Robert Lee Coffey of Lenoir and the late Lula Hart Coffey.

She was a homemaker.

In addition to her father, Mrs. Prestwood is survived by her husband, George James Prestwood of Charlotte; three sons, Gordon James Prestwood and Ralph Edward Prestwood, both of Lenoir, and David Lee Prestwood of San Diego, Calif.; three daughters, Georgia Ann Harris of Aiken, S.C., Shirley Jean Hitt of Statesville and Mary Jane Lebuff of Homa [sic], La.; two brothers, Lawrence Coffey of Waynesville, Mo., and Daniel Coffey of Wilmington; five sisters, Frances Hartley, Sarah Stone and Florence Prestwood, all of Lenoir, Mrs. Clyde (Alice) Smith of Morganton, and Mrs. Paul (Grace) Spears of Phoenix, Ariz.; 17 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

The service and interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell County Hospice.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

James O., born 1926, died 1926

Lemuel Hart, born Jun. 13, 1927, died Jun. 26, 1976.  Lem married Dorthy Mae McMillan on Jun. 30, 1949 in Caldwell Co.  She was born May 16, 1931 in Caldwell Co. to John Franklin and Amelia Ann Bishop McMillan.  Dorothy died Sep. 17, 2001 in Lenoir.  His obituary reads:

Obituary, Lenoir News-Topic, Monday, June 28, 1976

Lemuel Hart Coffey, 49, 210 Clearfield Drive, died Saturday evening in a Veteran's Administration hospital after an extended illness.

He was born June 13, 1927 in Caldwell County, son of Robert Lawrence and Lula Hart Coffey of Lenoir.

Coffey was employed at Kincaid Furniture Co.

Survivors, in addition to his parents, include his widow, Mrs. Dorthy Mae McMillian Coffey of the home; four sons, Terry Robert Coffey, Paul Gregory Coffey, Scott Bradley Coffey, all of Lenoir, and Jerry Franklin Coffey of El Paso, Tex.; three brothers, Finley Coffey of Collettsville, Larance Coffey of Missouri, and Dan Coffey of Wilmington; six sisters, Mrs. Alan (Sarah) Stone of North Wilkesboro, Mrs. Forke (Frances) Hartley of Baton, Mrs. Clyde (Alice) Smith of Morganton, Mrs. Paul (Grace) Spears of Phoenix, Ariz., and Mrs. George (Ruth) Prestwood and Mrs. Richard (Florence) Prestwood born of Lenoir.

The funeral was to be conducted at 2 p.m. today at Lakeview Baptist Church by Rev. Michael Barlowe and Rev. Dean Harold.

Burial was to follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Park.

Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home was in charge of Arrangements.

After Lem's death, Dorothy married Reynold Lee "Sarge" Setzer in 1976.  Sarge was born Jun. 29, 1930 in Caldwell Co. to Walter C. and Amanda Walsh Setzer.  He died Feb. 6, 2007 in Caldwell.  His obituary reads:

Obituary, News-Topic, Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC, Feb. 8, 2007

Reynold Setzer

Reynold Lee "Sarge" Setzer died Feb. 6, 2007, at Lenoir Health Care after a lengthy period of declining health.

Sarge was born June 29, 1930, in Caldwell County to W.C. and Amanda Walsh Setzer. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy McMillan Setzer; and a brother, Forest A. Setzer; and three infant brothers.

Survivors include his step-sons, Terry Coffey and wife Vicki of Lenoir, Jerry Coffey and wife Donna of Gray, Tenn., Scott Coffey and wife Linda of Asheville and Paul Coffey of Concord. He also is survived by five grandchildren, Suzanne Moore, Michael Coffey, Autumn Coffey, Nick Coffey and Yvonne Coffey, and two great grandchildren, Mason and Jessie Moore; a brother, Cecil B. Setzer and wife Mae; a sister-in-law, Bea Setzer; and a niece and nephew.

Sarge was assigned to the U.S. Army 2nd Infantry and completed 25 years of distinguished service, including the Korean Conflict and two tours in the Vietnam Conflict. He was later transferred to the First Armored Division and retired with honors in 1975. Master Sergeant Setzer received several commendations including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, National Defense Medal, The Army Commendation, The United Nations Medal and The Occupational Medal in Japan.

Sarge was a long-time member of First Advent Christian Church in Lenoir where he was a member of the senior men's Sunday school class. He was a collector of military books and extensive in his knowledge of military history. He attended Lenoir High School.

At his request, there will be no public funeral services. Memorials may be made to the First Advent Christian Church Music Program, P.O. Box 1714, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Dorothy's obituary:

Dorothy Mae McMillan Setzer, 70, of Camelot Court, Lenoir, died Monday, Sept. 17, 2001, at Caldwell County Hospice.

She was born May 16, 1931 in Caldwell County to the late John Franklin McMillan and Amelia Ann Bishop McMillan.  She was also preceded in death by her fi[r]st husband, Lemuel H. Coffey; and three brothers, Bill, Clifton and Paul McMillan.

She was a homemaker and a member of the First Advent Christian Church.

Survivors include her husband, Raymond Setzer of Lenoir, four sons, Terry R. Coffey of Lenoir, Jerry F. Coffey of Kannapolis, Paul G. Coffey of Hudson and Scott B. Coffey of Fletcher; one brother, the Rev. Eugene McMillan of Stuart, Va.; and five grandchildren.

A private memorial service will be held.

Memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645

Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Bob and Lula's next child was Lawrence Craig Coffey, born Feb. 18, 1929, died May. 25, 2005 in Crocker, Pulaski Co., MO.  His wife was Maggie Lee "Peggy" Benefield.  No other information.

Following Lawrence was Florence Elizabeth, born 1932.  No further information.

Alice Hart, born 1935, married Clyde William Smith.  No further information.

Their last three children were:  Daniel Luke, born 1937; Grace Levina, born 1940 and Sarah Nell, born 1945.  No further information on them.

James Avery & Mary Jane Laney Coffey of Kings Creek, Caldwell Co., NC

James Avery Coffey was born in April, 1846 to James Coffey, Jr. and his wife Mary Keller.  James Avery married c1871 to Mary Jane Laney, a daughter of James and Moriah Laney.  Jane was born in Apr., 1848 and died on Jul. 30, 1931 in Kings Creek Twp., Caldwell Co., NC. They were in the Kings Creek Twp. census from 1870-1900.

Mary Jane was buried at Kings Creek Baptist Church cemetery*.  James is probably also buried there but I have not found a record.

James and Mary Jane were parents to eight children, all born in Kings Creek:

James Columbus, born Aug., 11, 1873.  James registered for the WW1 draft at Williamson in Mingo Co., WV where he was employed as a coal miner by the War Eagle Coal Co. of War Eagle, WV.  He was 45 years old, born Aug. 11, 1873 and was described as being short and stout with blue eyes and dark brown hair.  He named Ann Coffey of Kings Creek as his nearest relative.

George Wesley, born Aug., 1875, died Jul. 25, 1928 in Caldwell Co.  George married c1911 Lula Jane Barlow, a daughter of John and Martha Grubb Barlow.  Lula was born Oct. 10, 1895 in Kings Creek and died in Lenoir on Apr. 16, 1971.**  She was buried at Kings Creek; George's grave site has not yet been located.  Their children were Nora Lee, born Nov., 1912; Charles W., born c1915; Viola A., born c1917; Callie, born c1919; Ellen, born c1922; Annie, born c1924 and Clara M., born c1928.  Nora Lee married Lee Otis Keller, a son of Anderson and Emma Mayberry Keller.  He was born Jan. 12, 1893 in Caldwell Co., and died May 16, 1958 at Kings Creek. Nora lee died May 7, 1944 at Lenoir.  Both are buried at Kings Creek.

Mary Genelia, born Jul. 31, 1878, died Mar. 17, 1946.  She married Finley Green Andrews, born Apr. 22, 1882 in Watauga Co., died at Lenoir on Dec. 31, 1960.  Both are buried at Kings Creek.+  Their children were Troy Lawrence, born Aug. 10, 1907, died Aug. 12, 1946 in Forsyth Co.; Elizabeth, born c1910; Roy Green, born c1912; Sarah Jane, born c1916 and Marvin Pershing, born c1918.

Julia E., born Jun., 1879; Amanda L., born Jul., 1881, Robert Lee, born Aug., 1885, died 1930; and William Henry, born Aug., 1886, died 1959 - no further information.

Elisha Elmore, born Aug. 14, 1889, died Oct. 7, 1962.  He married Fannie Bell Kirby, born Apr., 1898 at Kings Creek to William N. & Sarah G. Kirby Kirby.  She and Elisha were married at Caldwell Co. in 1919.  Their children were Edgar Lee, born 1922; Toye May, born Dec. 14, 1925, died 1987, and Claude William, born 1928.  Toye married Earl Pearson in Caldwell Co. in 1948.


















*NC Death Cert., No. 279
**NC Death Cert. No. 11910
+NC Death Certs. 34854 (Finley) & 6800 (Mary)

No. 981

James Alexander and Josephine Andrews Coffey

In an earlier blog [click on title link to read] I wrote about the descendants of Patterson Vance and Nancy Martisha Estes Coffey from Caldwell Co., NC.  At the time I had no information about their second son, James Alexander. Since then I have discovered the following about him:

Patterson and his family moved to Douglas Co., OR sometime around 1900. Their second son, James Alexander, born Jul. 4, 1872 in Lenoir, died in Jamestown, Stutsman Co., ND on Nov. 27, 1957. A short biography of the professional life of James appears on the website of the North Dakota Supreme Court:

Judge Coffey was born in Lenoir, North Carolina, on July 4, 1872. He attended school at Lenoir, until moving to Portland, Oregon, where he graduated from high school. He received his B. A. degree from the University of Idaho, and L. L. B. degree from the University of Minnesota. He came to Courtenay, North Dakota in 1902, where he practiced law until 1910. In 1911 he was appointed Judge of the Fifth Judicial District by Governor John Burke, he served in that capacity until 1919, when the judicial districts were revised he became Judge of the Fourth Judicial District from 1919 until 1928. He returned to private practice, and was briefly associated with Alvin C. Strutz, and later headed the firm of Coffey, Mackenzie and Jungroth in Jamestown, North Dakota. Judge Coffey died on November 27, 1957.

James married Josephine Andrews, a Minnesota school teacher in about 1903.  Shortly after their marriage - as indicated by his arrival in ND in 1902 - the family settled into life and raised two children:  Robert Andrews, born c1904 and Eleanore, born c1906. 

The family appeared in the 1910 through 1930 census records in Jamestown, Stutsman Co., ND.  Josephine appeared as the head of household in the 1900 census for Fairbault, Rice Co., MN where she taught school and lived with her brother, Stanley, age 15.

I have been unable to find a death record for Josephine, or a burial site for her or James.  Neither have I found any record of Robert and Eleanore after 1920. 

Please contact me at the above e-mail address if you can add to or correct any of this information.

Jesse Calton & Julia Elizabeth Hollifield Coffey

Jesse Calton was born Mar. 27, 1867 at Coffey's Gap in Watauga Co., NC to George Washington "Wash" and Matilda "Tilda" Coffey Coffey.  Wash was the son of William Clayton and Sarah Greene Coffey while Tilda was the daughter of Jesse Calton and Nancy A. Raines Coffey.  William was uncle to Jesse, their common ancestor being Jesse and Margaret Edmisten Coffey.

Julia Hollifield was born Mar. 31, 1873 in Watauga Co. and died Jul. 11, 1957 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.  She and Jesse were married May 7, 1892 in Watauga Co.  Her parents were Wiley and Mary Ann "Annie" Reid Hollifield.  Another daughter, Flora Ellen Hollifield married Reuben Finley Coffey on Dec. 14, 1893 in Caldwell Co.

Jesse and Julia were parents of at least nine children:

George Wiley, born Mar. 20, 1890, died Jan. 25, 1948 in Wilkes Co.  He married Ida Belle Norman on Apr. 11, 1912 and they were parents of at least nine children.  Ida was born in 1886 in Lenoir and died there in 1974.

Charles Alexander "Charlie" was born Jul. 2, 1894 in Caldwell Co., and died May 17, 1966 in Lenoir.  He married Julia Evelyn Knight on Sep. 4, 1915 in Watauga Co.  Julia was born Sep. 13, 1896 and died Jan. 21, 1981.  They were also parents of at least nine children.

Annie, born Feb. 16, 1896, died Jul. 4, 1976. No other information.

Thomas Leroy "Tom", born Oct. 13, 1898, died Feb. 11, 1974 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.  Tom married Alice Sanders on Jul 19, 1919 in Watauga Co.  She was the daughter of Eve and Emma Sumlin Sanders of Caldwell Co.  Alice died Feb. 24, 1962 in Blowing Rock.  They were also parents of at least nine children.

Ella, born Feb. 22, 1901, died Jul. 15, 1983 in Morganton, Burke Co., NC.  Ella married a Mr. Smith.  No other information.

Rev. Harley Clint, born Jul. 11, 1903 in Upton, Caldwell Co., died Mar. 5, 1972 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., NC.  He married twice, first to Dovie "Texie" Bolick on May 8, 1927 in Watauga Co., and second to Myrtle Thelma Andrews on Nov. 20, 1930 in Winston-Salem.  I know of only one child, a daughter Claudine, born to his union with Myrtle.  Texie died of dysentery after a little over a year of marriage, on Jun. 16, 1928.  Myrtle, a daughter of William M. and Manarky Victoria Shook Andrews died Nov. 13, 1979 in Valdese, Burke Co., NC.

Pearl Nevada, born Feb. 8, 1906, died Feb. 25, 1993.  She married first James Samuel Day on Apr. 22, 1923 in Watauga Co.  James, a son of James Mordichi and Annie Marie Reid Day, was born Aug. 5, 1899 in Watauga Co. and died there on Mar. 13, 1956.  She later married James' brother Spencer who died in Caldwell Co. in 1965.  Pearl died Feb. 25, 1993.

William Glenn, born Apr. 11, 1909, died Feb. 24, 1977 in Alexander Co., NC.  He married Annie Rivers "Nannie" Coffey, a daughter of Jesse Cleveland and Eliza Loudermelt Coffey.  Nannie was born Jan. 1, 1910 in Avery Co., NC and died Apr. 15, 1952 in Boone, Watauga Co.  I know of one child, Jerry Guy Coffey, born Sep. 12, 1933, died Jan. 25, 1998.  Jesse Cleveland and Jesse Calton were first cousins.

Bertha Vienna, born Sep. 2, 1912, died Jan. 14, 1970 in Blowing Rock.  She was the second wife of Adren Reece Moody, born Dec. 6, 1909 in Watauga Co., died Sep. 12, 1968 in Blowing Rock.  Adren was the son of Arthur C. and Rota Marticia Estes Moody.  He and Bertha were the parents of at least two children:  Teresa Geraldine, born May 7, 1932, died Jan. 8, 1994 and Catherine Elizabeth, born May 7, 1935, died Jan. 23, 1993.  Adren's first wife was Edna Porter with whom he had at least one child, Louise born Nov. 15, 1928.

Please contact me to add to or correct any of this information.

Joseph Harrison and Carrie Elizabeth Coffey Wellborn

Joseph Harrison Wellborn was born Mar. 3, 1873 in Wilkes Co., NC to F.D. and Mary M. Wellborn.  The 1880 census locates F.D. and Mary in Lewis Fork Twp., Wilkes Co. with two Wellborn children and three Tulbert [or, Tolbert] step-children.

Carrie Elizabeth Coffey was born Aug. 14, 1877 in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co., NC to Thomas and Rachel M. Coffey Coffey.  Thomas was a son of William Coffey, Jr., and Margaret Robbins; Rachel was a daughter of McCaleb Coffey and Elizabeth Collett.  William was a nephew as well as a first cousin once removed to McCaleb.

Caldwell Co. marriage book 11, page 245 records the union of Carrie and Joseph in that place in 1896.  According to the 1900 Patterson Twp. Caldwell Co. census, Carrie was mother to three children, two of which had died in infancy.  Their first child to reach adulthood was Jennie Beatrice, born May 11, 1900.

In 1910, the family was found in Chase, Mecklenburg Co., VA where Joseph was farming.  However, by 1917 Joseph was confined to Long's Sanitorium in Statesville, Iredell Co., NC where according to his death certificate he died from cirhosis of the liver on Oct. 11, 1917.  He was buried on Oct 13, 1917 in Patterson Twp.  The death certificate is not specific on burial location.

Carrie remained a widow in Patterson Twp. for the rest of her life, and died there from uremia on Mar. 22, 1951.  She is buried at Harpers Chapel Cemetery in Patterson.  Joseph is likely buried there as well.

Their children were:

Jennie Beatrice, born May 11, 1900, died Dec. 30, 1978 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co.  She married Thomas Hamilton (Hamp) Robbins in that county in 1920.  Thomas was a son of Thomas Clingman and Sarah Curtis Robbins.  He was born on Oct. 17, 1888 in Caldwell Co., and died Mar. 5, 1965 in Lower Creek, Caldwell Co.  Thomas is buried at Harpers Chapel and, Jennie is also presumed to be buried there.  They had at least four children:  Mary Gwendolyn, born Sep. 7, 1920; Thomas Hamilton, born Sep. 11, 1922; George Welborn, born Aug. 17, 1924, died Nov. 21, 2004; and Robert Joseph, born Dec. 5, 1926.

Carl Coffey, born Aug, 6, 1902 in Wilkes Co., died May 15, 1986 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co.  He married Lula Bell Hamby in Caldwell Co. in 1921.  She was born Oct. 18, 1898 in NC and died Dec. 8, 1933 in Lenoir.  Lula is buried at Harpers Chapel, and Carl is probably buried there as well.  Their five known children were:  Clyde Colene, born Oct. 6, 1921; Mildred Marie, born 1923; Joseph Henry, born 1924, died 1997; Earl Russell, born Apr. 3, 1928, died Jun. 22, 1994; and a daughter who was stillborn on Mar. 31, 1932.  Death of the child was attributed to hydrocephalus and spina bifida.

Alma M., born c1904

Annie L., born c1906

Robert Louis, born Dec. 11, 1908, died Dec. 29, 1990.  It is unknown whether or not he married and fathered children.

Carrie was the sixth child.  She was born Sep. 13, 1910 and died Feb. 28, 1985.  She married Hugh Hardin Edmisten, a son of Newton and Alice Holshouser Edmisten.  Hugh was born Aug. 19, 1905 in Watauga Co., and died in Lenoir on Aug. 16, 1963.  Hugh is buried at Belleview Cemetery in Lenoir, and Carrie is also thought to have been buried there.

Joseph Dale, born Mar. 14, 1913

Blanche Gertrude, born Nov. 19, 1914, died Mar. 8, 2004.  Blanche first married William Lee Martin, a son of Roby Sherrill and Ivalee Crisp Martin.  He was born on Dec. 23, 1913 in NC and died in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., on Aug. 4, 1966.  He is buried in Wilson Memorial Park in Caldwell Co.  Carrie's second husband was H.C. (Bud) Andrews for whom I have no information.  It appears that Blanche did not have children by either husband, but I am not sure of that.  She is also buried at Wilson Memorial Park.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address if you would like to add to or correct any of this information.

Joseph Harrison and Carrie Elizabeth Coffey Wellborn

Joseph Harrison Wellborn was born c1873 in North Carolina and died there before 1920. He married Carrie Elizabeth Coffey in Caldwell County, NC in 1896 [Marriage Book 11, Page 245]. Carrie was the daughter of Thomas, a son of William Coffey and Margaret Robbins. Carrie's mother was Rachel M. Coffey, the daughter of McCaleb Coffey and Elizabeth Collett.

Carrie was born Aug. 14, 1877 in Caldwell Co., and died in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co. on Mar. 22, 1951.  She is buried at Harper's Chapel Cemetery in Patterson.  An accurate birth and death date for Joseph has not been found.

Children of Joseph and Carrie were:

Jennie Beatrice, born May 11, 1900, died Dec. 30, 1978. Jennie married Thomas Hamilton (Hamp) Robbins in Caldwell Co., NC in 1920. Thomas was born Oct. 17, 1888 [death certificate], a son of Thomas Clingman and Sarah Curtis Robbins. He died Mar. 5, 1965 in Lower Creek, Caldwell Co. [Death Certificate]. Their children were Mary Gwendolyn, born Sep. 7, 1920 [NC Birth Index Book 7, Page 621], died Dec. 14, 1977; Thomas Hamilton, born Sep. 11, 1922; George Welborn, born Aug. 17, 1924, died Nov. 21, 2004; and Robert Joseph, born Dec. 5, 1926.

Carl Coffey, born Aug. 6, 1902 in Wilkes Co., died May 15, 1986 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. He was married in 1921 to Lula Belle Hamby, born Oct. 18, 1898 in NC, died Dec. 8, 1933 in Lenoir. Their children were Clyde Colene, born Oct. 6, 1921; Mildred Marie, born 1923; Joseph Henry, born 1924, died 1997; Earl Russell, born Apr. 3, 1928, died Jun. 22, 1994; and an unnamed child, born and died in 1932.

Alma L., born c1906

Robert Louis, born Dec. 11, 1908, died Dec. 29, 1990

Carrie, born Sep. 13, 1910, died Feb. 28, 1985. She married Hugh Hardin Edmisten, born Aug. 19, 1905 in Watauga Co., NC, died Aug. 16, 1963 in Lenoir. He was a son of Newton Edmiston and Alice Holshouser.

Joseph Dale, born May 14, 1913

Blanche Gertrude, born Nov. 19, 1914, died Mar. 8, 2004. Blanche married first William Lee Martin, born Dec. 23, 1913, died Aug. 4, 1966 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., NC. He was a son of Roby Sherrill and Ivalee Crisp Martin. Blanche was married second to H. C. (Bud) Andrews for whom I have no information. Blanche is buried in Wilson Memorial Park in Caldwell Co.

Obituary, The News Topic, Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC

Blanch Andrews

Blanch Gerturde Wellborn Martin Andrews, 89, of Blowing Rock Blvd., Lenoir, died Monday, March 8, 2004, at Lenoir Healthcare Center.

She was born Nov. 19, 1914 in Caldwell County to the late Joseph and Carrie E. Coffey Wellborn. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, William Lee Martin; her second husband, (Bud) H.C. Andrews; three brothers and three sisters.

Mrs. Andrews was a homemaker was a member of Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church.

Survivors include three sons, Williams S. Martin, Jack O. Martin and Charles A. Martin all of Lenoir; a daughter, Mrs. Ivolee Martin McCall of Valdese; 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel conducted by the Rev. Joe Parker and the Rev. Lynn Hawkins. Interment will follow in J.H. Wilson Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers will be: Jason Martin, Charles Martin, Jr., Jamie McCall, Travis Coffey, Tom Haus and Joel Coffey. Honorary pallbearers will be: Donovan Moose, Lee Moose and Will Haus.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645; or to Mt. Olivet united Methodist Church, 2032 Mulberry Creek Road, Lenoir NC 28645; or to Wellborn Historical Society, 2400 Mourgea Avenue, High Meadow Apt. 4E, Valdese, NC 28690.

Please send additions or corrections to me at the above e-mail address.